Clive Thompson on the Age of Microcelebrity: Why Everyone's a Little Brad Pitt
Within this article Clive Thompson assesses the phenomenon that is "Microcelebrity" How it has taken an effect on lives and how some people, including himself, handle it. Microcelebrity by definition, if urban dictionary is to be held as a respected source, is "One who gains a cult or mainstream following due to viral internet distribution. Does not refer to those who have gained limited or cult followings through traditional media. Does not refer to has-beens or "B-list" celebrities."
Thompson draws a conclusion through various examples that "If you really want to see the future, check out teenagers and twentysomethings. When they go to a party, they make sure they're dressed for their close-up — because there will be photos, and those photos will end up online." and that in turn means "learning to manage our own identity and "message" almost like a self-contained public relations department."
I, however, disagree. In my own personal experience in the nineteen, almost twenty, years upon this earth I haven't stumbled upon anyone who has consciously made the decision to dress up for an occasion simply based upon the fact that they may have photographs of themselves appear on the internet.
There is a memory in the back of my mind of when I was around the age of five and my mother and father would dress me up to the nine in my collared shirt and long pants to go to a birthday party. Was this then my parental unit preparing me for my facebook debut? Installing in my sub-conscious the habitual ceremony of composing an image that I would be proud to have appear upon a website on the internet, two concepts that my parents were yet to hear of and to this day have almost no idea how to operate such things? I don't think so.
Microcelebrities do exist, that is something that can't be denied. Though the idea that your regular Joe Blogs makes sure they are picture perfect for every event they attend, in order to protect their online reputation and potential microcelebrity status, is ridiculous. Anyone who is that concerned about their cyberspace image would have to be a little dim. After all this is a medium that is primarily filled with "Goat play", "Hot blondes with massive tits" and penis enlargement ads. Its a bit trivial isn't it.
WinstonD
Hey Drueby.
ReplyDeleteI half-heartedly agree with you entirely that people are dim if they make significant effort in attempting to maintain both a cyber reputation. However, I think Thompson has a valid point, the dichotomy between the physical world and the digital world in regard to status and reputation is becoming one. Who you are online is just as important who you are when you're not online. The online world is part of most people's lives and as facebook, twitter and other internet phenomena become engrained in people's routines, people do have to take into consideration their status, reputation, looks and actions in the physical world as it will influence the online world.
For example, if you, Drew, are to get absolutely blind off the turps and you make out with an unattractive girl and your friend takes photos (out of jest) of the abomination and uploads them on facebook, people are going to see it whether you're tagged or not and think that your either: 1. easy/desperate, 2. a cheap drunk. 3. you got attacked by the ugly chick. Either way you look at it - those pictures are going to have an effect on people and your reputation in some way whether you think about it or not.
Moreover, I think people, especially women (though I won't rule out men) compete with each other facebook over social status primarily which is seen in the number of friends you have, photos of what parties you went to and what clubs you go to, photos with your friends, status updates on what you bought at the mall, etc. Therefore, I half-heartedly agree with Clive Thompson - as the internet is an avenue that allows the judgemental attitude in all humans and sufferers of the tall-poppy syndrome keep constant surveillance on other people, people should keep manage their identity in order to protect their status, reputation and moreover, their dignity.